Test Equipment
Direct-sequence Spread Spectrum Board
The model DEV6143 full-duplex-mode reprogrammable development board, in conjunction with the company’s SX043 and SX061, provides a prototype platform for users and allows designers to set up internal registers to perform a complete evaluation of an IC. The unit’s full-duplex mode consolidates the capacity to transmit and receive onto one board, providing a significant cost reduction over the two-board method. Equipped with digital interfaces that secure direct access to the parallel data bus, the unit allows a data rate of more than 1 Mbps in QPSK modulation mode. Pre-installed software allows engineers to begin using the DEV6143 immediately. Price: $999.
American Microsystems Inc. (AMI),
Pocatello, ID
(208) 233-4690.
Cable and Antenna Analyzers
The SiteMaster™ model S820A cable and antenna analyzer features a built-in distance-to-fault measurement capability, has a frequency range of 3.3 to 20 GHz and provides a convenient way to measure, troubleshoot and verify microwave waveguide and antenna systems that operate at the full 18 GHz band. Tune-mode sweeps are completed in less than 1 s and the hand-held microwave analyzer can be set up for continuous or single sweeps. The S820A provides accurate return loss/SWR over the entire frequency range of 3.3 to 20 GHz. Price: $16,950. Delivery: four to six weeks.
Anritsu Co., Microwave Measurement Division,
Richardson, TX
(800) 267-4878.
Probe Station
The model 12860 probe station provides ultra-low CV-IV probing for 200 mm shrinking geometries, delivers a capacitance variation of < 3 fF, and features a 1 pF thermal chuck with a settling time of < 50 fA in 50 ms with a 100 V step. The chuck leakage and noise are < 20 fA over the full temperature range of –65° to +300°C.
Cascade Microtech Inc.,
Beaverton, OR
(800) 550-3279 or (503) 601-1000.
300 kHz - 200 MHz VNA
The model VNA300K-200M vector network analyzer supports time gating and operates over a frequency range of 300 kHz to 200 MHz in 10 kHz steps. Dynamic range is > 100 dB, output power is > +25 dBm, time range is 100 ms and time resolution is 5 ns. The DSP-based analyzer utilizes microwave frequency synthesizers to generate the RF stimulus, making higher frequency operation possible. An RS-232 or RS-422 interface is available for control directly from a PC.
Shason Microwave Corp.,
Houston, TX
(281) 526-0536.
Electromagnetic Field and RF Signal Meter
The EM Eye® portable, fully self-contained, battery-operated broadband directional field strength meter can locate emission sources at a distance as well as measure RF signals. A detachable thumb-sized broadband directional antenna points to the source of emission with the help of a built-in laser pointer. The unit features average, peak and quasipeak detectors, allowing measurements of various types of fields and signals, including CW, TDMA, CDMA, transients and ESD events. The EM Eye meter features a multifunctional backlit liquid-crystal display that simultaneously shows linear and logarithmic values of signal strength and a real-time lin/log bar graph with zoom. All EM Eye models are equipped with an RS-232 port and come with Windows™-based software. Size: 5.0" x 2.4" x 1.0". Weight: 6.5 oz.
Credence Technologies Inc.,
Santa Cruz, CA
(831) 459-7488.
Coaxial Trombone Line Stretcher
The model ST-15N trombone line stretcher is designed to adjust the electrical separation of components without introducing additional mismatch. It consists of two single stretchers, mounted in series, providing twice the phase range for a given physical size. The stretcher is suitable for load pulling tests on amplifiers from 500 to 4000 MHz such as those designed for cellular and PCS applications. Similar models in the ST series provide for lower frequency applications.
Microlab/FXR,
Livingston, NJ
(973) 992-7700.
The LabVIEW™ Integration Toolkit
The Summit series LabVIEW integration toolkit (jointly developed by National Instruments, Cascade Microtech and Microsys Technologies) includes a comprehensive instrument driver to complete the automation of the wafer test process, several example programs, an automated installation utility, on-line help and an operating manual. The toolkit is compatible with Windows 95“ and LabVIEW 5.x. Benefits of the toolkit include effortless integration of measurement software with prober station control, complete automation of wafer test procedures and rapid, easy-to-use test development.
National Instruments,
Austin, TX
(800) 550-3279.
Selective Power Meter
The model 6500 selective power meter (SPM™) measures RF power over a wide range of communication bands and has a 1 kHz to 80 MHz finite-duration impulse-response (FIR) filter bandwidth for carrier RF power measurement. The use of digital signal processing techniques (FIR filters) allows low level narrowband or wideband carriers to be measured at higher power levels to an accuracy of +/-0.2 dB. Features include a low noise floor for accurate C/N measurements at SHF, carrier center frequency and bandwidth analysis, and a burst signal capture mode.
Pascall Telecom Systems,
Ryde, Isle of Wight, UK
+44 (0) 1983 817425.
Pulse Generators
The models 2600C and 10,300B pulse generators produce the high amplitude 50 V and 1 A current required for testing the switching time of semiconductors and driving high current laser diodes to obtain fast risetime optical pulses. The 2600C Turbo is a manually controlled pulse generator, and the 10,300B is a GPIB programmable version. Delivery: seven to eight weeks (model 2600C); 10 to 12 weeks (model 10,300B) (ARO).
Picosecond Pulse Labs,
Boulder, CO
(303) 443-1249.
Manual Probe Stations
The PSI 400™ and 410™ manual probe stations feature positive X-Y stage lock with vacuum switch, submicron chuck positioning with optional 0.5" x 0.5" stage micrometer and a 2" X-Y-Z microscope movement. The probe stations also feature convenient coaxial X-Y and push/pull stage controls, a platen fine Z lift system with three-point leadscrew-driven of platen support and a leadscrew-driven Theta control, which provides 24° chuck rotation.
Probing Solutions Inc. (PSI),
Dayton, NV
(702) 246-0999.
Calibration Kit
This surface-mount package (SMP) calibration kit consists of an open, load and short (all in a male and female interface) for use in calibrating various pieces of test equipment. The kit also includes two 60 cm precision cables to interface with the test port, and ensures the reliability of the test results for SMP connectors up to 18 GHz. The SMP interface is per DESC 94007/94008 and is compatible with the GPO™ connector series.
Rosenberger of North America LLC,
Lancaster, PA
(717) 290-8000.
Noise and Interference Emulator
The model 4600AH noise and interference emulator accurately measures the power of an incoming RF signal and adds the specified amount of noise (AWGN) or interference to obtain a desired carrier-to-noise or carrier-to-interference ratio. RF carrier frequency coverage has been extended to 2.5 GHz. The 4600AH is designed for product development, quality control and engineering test applications and provides coverage of the cellular, PCS and IMT 2000 bands. The emulator is available in single- and dual-channel configurations.
Telecom Analysis Systems Inc. (TAS),
Eatontown, NJ
(732) 544-8700.
Spectrum Analyzers
The models R3132, R3132N and R3162 spectrum analyzers are designed for high throughput wireless, RF and TV production test applications and are equipped with a general-purpose interface bus, parallel printer interface, built-in 3.5-inch floppy disk and high definition color display with VGA output connector. The spectrum analyzers deliver a total measurement level accuracy of +/-1.5 dB and phase noise of –100 dBc (10 kHz offset, 1 GHz center frequency). The R3132, R3132N and R3162 offer frequency ranges of 9 kHz to 3 GHz, 9 kHz to 2.2 GHz and 9 kHz to 8 GHz, respectively. The three models can be configured to provide 50 ms sweep speed to support time domain measurements such as burst transmission rise and fall times.
Tektronic Inc., Measurement Business Division,
Beaverton, OR
(800) 426-2200.